Case Study
No Longer Exhausted by Exhaust Stains

1986 Chris-Craft Charter with Marine Ceramic Kit and RPL

Goals

• Remove the existing black streaks and stains from the stern of the boat.
• Restore the stern’s original finish and gloss.
• Protect the stern finish from UV damage and exhaust staining.
• Make the stern easier to maintain.

Ron reached out to us for a solution to the black streaks and exhaust stains and was looking for a coating specifically designed for gelcoat, as he acknowledged that the porosity of the gelcoat enabled the stains to settle into the surface, making them extremely difficult to remove.

The black diesel stains occurred after every 2-hour charter and could not be removed with regular boat soap. The surface was so stained with black diesel residue that it had to be routinely buffed and polished to actually remove the stains, costing Ron a lot of time and money. Ron would apply wax to the stern after polishing it, which would give good gloss initially, however the black diesel stains were back after just one charter.

Ron purchased a Marine Ceramic Top Coating Kit – Up to 20’, as well as 50ml of Repellent Protective Layer (RPL). The coating was applied by Ron’s detailers at Cracker Boy Boat Works in Fort Pierce, who followed the directions for the Top Coating Kit step-by-step.

• The detailers washed the stern of the boat thoroughly with Glidecoat Nano Wash to remove any surface debris and salt to prepare the surface to be compounded. Although the diesel soot stains were not completely removed by the wash, the surface was smooth and uniform.
• The surface was compounded using Glidecoat Nano Compound Medium Cut and a machine buffer with a medium cut foam pad. This step removed the diesel soot stains.
• The surface was polished using Glidecoat Nano Polish and a machine buffer with a foam finishing pad, removing any remaining surface imperfections and enhancing the gloss of the surface.
• The surface was decontaminated using Glidecoat Surface Wipe, removing any remnants of compound and polish and ensuring that the surface was clean and ready to be ceramic coated.
• The detailers applied two coats of Glidecoat Marine Ceramic Coating to the stern, allowing for at least an hour between coats. The Marine Ceramic Coating bonded directly to the surface, filling microscopic pores in the gelcoat, and making it resistant to UV damage and basic staining.
• After allowing time for the Marine Ceramic Coating to begin the curing process, the team then applied one coat of Glidecoat Repellent Protective Layer (RPL), enhancing the self-cleaning of the surface and making it oleophobic (oil resistant). This step was completed in order to repel diesel soot buildup and make exhaust stains much easier to remove going forward.

Ron has had Glidecoat Marine Ceramic Coating and RPL on his boat for about two months now and has completed four charters. He says that he has not had to wash or even rinse the stern of the boat since applying the coating, because nothing sticks to the surface.